McMaster Children’s Hospital ED welcomes 200,000th patient

The pediatric emergency department (PED) at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) welcomed its 200,000th patient Wednesday morning. After receiving treatment for an injured heel, 9-year old Natalia Gayowsky was happy to sport a badge declaring her number 200,000 while she enjoyed a slice of celebratory cake.

PED staff gather around Natalia Gayowsky, their 200,000th visitorThe team of staff when the PED first opened in 2011

Since it transitioned to a dedicated pediatric emergency department in 2011, MCH has become Ontario’s top performing pediatric emergency department. This ranking is determined by the Ministry of Health based on factors like wait times.

“I have an overwhelming sense of pride in the team that has gotten us to this milestone, both past and present.” – Dr. Anthony Crocco

The team in the PED is a diverse group and brings a child-focused skill set to emergency medicine. To ensure the best possible care for children and their families, all staff members are specially trained in pediatric emergency medicine. The team includes:

A specialized clinical pharmacist who oversees medication safety

Child life specialists who support families in the waiting room and during painful procedures to reduce stress

A trauma team that runs realistic simulations on site to prepare for high-risk scenarios

A clinical nurse educator who facilitates learning within the team

Dr. Anthony Crocco, medical director of pediatric emergency medicine at MCH, says this touchstone is a great way to recognize the hard work of the staff and physicians in the PED, “I have an overwhelming sense of pride in the team that has gotten us to this milestone, both past and present.”

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